Owl Babies [NOOK Book]

Overview

When three baby owls awake one night to find their mother gone, they can't help but wonder where she is. Stunning illustrations capture the worried owls as they wait—and the joyous flapping and bouncing and dancing that greet her return.

Three owl babies whose mother has gone out in the night try to stay calm while she is gone.

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This Book

Overview

When three baby owls awake one night to find their mother gone, they can't help but wonder where she is. Stunning illustrations capture the worried owls as they wait—and the joyous flapping and bouncing and dancing that greet her return.

Three owl babies whose mother has gone out in the night try to stay calm while she is gone.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Three worried owlets wait for their mother to return from her night flight. PW said, Benson's disarming cross-hatched pictures of fluffy, wide-eyed owl babies, and the use of light-colored text against a black background, turn this sweet story into a hauntingly lovely book. Ages 3-7. (Apr.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly
- Publisher's Weekly

New to board book format is Martin Waddell's Owl Babies, in which three worried owlets wait for their mother to return from her night flight. Patrick Benson's disarming cross-hatched pictures of fluffy, wide-eyed owl babies, and the use of light colored text against a black background, turn this sweet story into a hauntingly lovely little book. (Candlewick, $6.99 22p ages 18 mos.-2 yrs. ISBN 1-56402-965-4, Oct.)

Children's Literature
- Marilyn Courtot

The expressions on the faces of these baby owls are enough to tug at any heart, but the heartwarming story of Percy, Sarah and Bill, all of who are anxiously awaiting the return of mother owl, is a true delight. The easy cadence of the words, the gentle humor, and the poignancy of Bill's plaint "I want my Mommy" will ring true with kids and their mothers. Reissue of the 1992 award-winning book in a board book version.

Children's Literature
- Susie Wilde

When children begin to eat, they are a little sloppy. That's because they throw themselves fully into the new experience. They may well have a similar approach to books. As we watched my daughter teethe on board books we would remark on her fine taste in books. A sure hit for older toddlers is the board book version of Owl Babies.

School Library Journal

PreS-- This simple story pales in comparison to the exceptionally well-crafted illustrations. Rendered in black ink and watercolor with an abundance of crosshatching used to show background, shadow, texture, and depth, each stunning woodcutlike panorama fills a double-page spread. Benson has chosen shades of turquoise, pale yellow, and light green for the large-type text in order to avoid detracting from the blue-and-green dominated paintings. Realistic as they appear, the three, fluffy, white baby owls and their mother are infused with distinct personalities. The owlets awaken one night to find their mother gone. Sarah, the largest, reasons that she is out hunting for food. Mid-sized Percy tends to agree, while tiny Bill will only repeat, ``I want my mommy!'' Mom, just out for a night flight, does return, of course, and her fledglings are delighted to see her. The repetition just doesn't work. The plot is too meager, the text too unexciting. Hutchins's Good Night Owl Macmillan, 1991, Thaler's Owly HarperCollins, 1982, and Yolen's Owl Moon Philomel, 1987 are all better stories for preschoolers. Simple, well-written books about mother love and reassurance for this age group are abundant. --Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

Emily Melton

Sarah, Percy, and Bill, three small owls who live in the forest, wake up one night to find their mother gone. Sarah and Percy, the older and "braver" siblings, try to reassure themselves and their baby brother, Bill, that Mother has only flown off in search of food and will soon return; but the dark and silent forest is frightening and lonely at night, and deep down the baby owls wonder if Mother will really come back. They huddle together, trying to be brave but imagining the worst. Finally, Mother reappears with a feast, and the youngsters greet her with enthusiastic relief. Waddell uses pared-down prose and simple sentences to convey the owl babies' growing sense of loneness and then their happy relief when Mother returns. This story will strike a familiar chord in every small child who has been afraid when left by his or her parent, and parents will perhaps gain a new understanding of how a small child might feel when he or she is left. The quiet of the night forest and the little owls' sense of smallness are imaginatively captured by the velvety, black-as-night background and the softly glowing, jewel-toned colors of Benson's woodcutlike illustrations. A wonderful "read to me" book for nap time, story time, or bedtime.

Children's Literature
- Michele C. Hughes

Illustrations steal the show in this sweet story about owl babies who miss their mother. The woodcut-like drawings capture the soft fluffiness of the white owls, the vast, dark night in which they watch and wait, and the delicately veined leaves that surround their home. Somehow, the owls look simultaneously real and anthropomorphized, and this draws the reader into their world and their predicament. When three owl babies awaken to find their mother missing, they each have a different reaction. Sarah, the natural leader, reassures her siblings that their absent mother will return. Percy dutifully follows her lead, seconding her assertions. Little Bill, on the other hand, can only repeat, "I want my mommy!" in his owlish anguish. Simple language moves the story along to a comforting end, which makes this an ideal bedtime story. Consistent characterizations and the steadfastness of the mother owl are reassuring. The accompanying ten-minute DVD includes a lightly animated version of the book, read by a narrator, as well as a short film of the author talking about his work. A sticker page at the end adds another dimension to the book. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes

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Wonderful Missing Mommy Story

I bought this for my 2 year old granddaughter. She loved the baby owl and chimed in when the littlest owl said I want my mommy!. She too understands that Mommy will be back when she goes to work or on vacation. This book is a good reinforcement of that fact.

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Anonymous

Posted December 10, 2012

Great help for soon to go to preschool

My 2.5 year old loves it, and it has prompted role playing of me taking her to pretend school and then swooping in to get her, a recommended activity from a friend.

Very recommended, and conversation started to help prepare for preschool

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Anonymous

Posted February 23, 2012

Highly recommended

Wonderful story and images! Parents and children alike love it!

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Anonymous

Posted October 12, 2011

Sweet story...

This is a very sweet story with some good repetition. My 12 month old son enjoys it and likes looking at the pictures of the owls.

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Anonymous

Posted February 7, 2011

Excellent Read-aloud

This is a favorite with children. It is an excellent read-aloud for shared reading. Children love it!

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dadoftwo25

Posted March 12, 2010

I Also Recommend:

Adorable

Three little owls do the best they can together until mom sows up again. Makes for an anxious time before the happy ending. A really adorable story and realistic character emotions. Your kids will enjoy this one.

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My son loves it and I like it also

My son loves the story and gets very excited when owl mother returns. The illustrations are beautiful. A very nice piece of work.

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KMCmommy

Posted January 30, 2010

I love this book.

Sarah,Percy and Bill are adorable. This book is best when you give each baby its own voice. This book is perfect for the under five crowd who can relate to Bill "I want my Mommy!"

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OsaES

Posted December 12, 2009

Waiting for Mommy

It is normal for children to feel scared when a parent/adult is not around. This is true when a child starts preschool. They are always wondering if mommy/daddy wil return. This book helps a child learn how 3 baby owls feell when their mommy leaves the nest in search for food. A wonderful book!

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Anonymous

Posted October 17, 2008

Great Book

I love this book. I gave this book to my nephew a few years ago and it quickly became a favorite of his. I now buy this book for any new moms as a shower gift.

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Anonymous

Posted May 21, 2008

Owl Babies is super awesome!

Mr. Waddell is a great thinker and writer. 'OWL BABIES' taught us about writing. We learned not to put rising tension first and to have a soft beginning. Mr. Benson helped us draw far away and close up pictures. The little owlet Bill is a cutie. He sticks together with his brother and sister.

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Anonymous

Posted March 2, 2008

I want my mommy!

This has to be one of my Kindergartners' favourite books each year! They will all chime in with little Bill, 'I want my mommy!' This is sa sweet book that is sure to please ANY person, big or small.

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Anonymous

Posted September 11, 2007

WONDERFUL book!

This is one of my daughter's favorite books! (She's 3 1/2 years old) She absolutely loves the different expressions on the owls' faces and truly relates to the story. Funnily enough, As I pause between each page to let her take in the illustrations, she has taken to verbally reassuring the smallest owl, Bill, that his mother will in fact come back and that his sister and brother will protect him in the meantime. Reading this book to her always sets the stage for a wonderful bonding moment between us. From the mother's perspective, the story is simple, heartwarming, and it's a quick read (nice plus when I'm trying to speed up bedtime!!!).

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Anonymous

Posted December 30, 2005

Simple is best

Here is a simple story about 3 baby owls worried about their mother. When they wake up to find her gone, Sarah and Percy have lots of questions. Where did she go? Will she come back? Bill has only one thing to say, 'I want my mommy,' and he says it over and over again. My 2-year-old son can relate to the story so well, and to hear him repeat Bill's words with such conviction is endearing. We first encountered Baby Owls on 'Onemorestory.com,' and I have since bought the book and even a baby owl to go with. I'm planning to give a copy to his daycare for newbies who are wondering if their mothers are coming back.

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Anonymous

Posted October 21, 2002

A great book for many ages

My 7 year old son read this book to me and loved so much we are buying it for his younger cousin!

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Anonymous

Posted September 29, 2001

Mother's always come back.

This book is one of the best that I have ever found for my childcare program. It is a beautifully illustrated book that sends the message to young readers that there own mother will come back. We all can relate to the little owl Bill who wants his mommie. This is excellant!!!!

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